So proud of my man for braving the elements to take 4/5 kids on a snowy adventure. (One elected to stay home and read books and watch movies with me and a friend.) Another family friend mocked us for taking vacations separately, but we see this as a win-win.
On a long weekend off school, many families head off for an adventure. I am happy to have a stay-cation instead. With Andy away working and the rainy weather, we pretended that we were having snow days and entertained ourselves with:
Coloring and Contemplation in our trendy new intricate coloring books while listening to the mandolin station on Pandora
"Bored" Games: Sorry Sliders, Battleship, Wits and Wagers, and video games while chatting on social media
Music practice and lessons: violin, cello, piano, voice, guitar, recorder, and drums
Della time
Target time
Library stop and listening to books on CD and reading award nominees
Trying to gain another percent fluency in Spanish on my app...a fluent speaker informing me that I had just implied "I am FINE! (hot) instead of fine (well). Whoops!
Actually putting all of the holiday stuff I had temporarily stashed in the guest room in the proper boxes in the attic. Kid room clean-ups/pantry re-org/perpetual laundry, dishes, and kitchen clean-up. The more we stay at home, the messier home becomes.
Hanging up snowflakes and hearts in the windows with World Market treasures, since it seems kind of bare around here after the undecking of the halls.
Watching Pan together and me wondering why the pirates were singing a Nirvana song from the 80's. That funny forty-something moment when you realize that your kids don't know that this "entertain us" was meant to be funny. Wondering if it was the dog who had gas or one of the kids. (Turns out, it was one of the boys, who was rather proud of this.) Movie watching together is a treat, because the kids mostly watch their own shows on tablets, laptops, or iPods with headphones. Harmonious "together" makes my heart sing.
Cooking together (and by this I mean heating up a number of frozen items that came in cardboard boxes) and eating together, even if it's corn dog night.
Resolving to actually cook more clean-eating recipes after this week of laziness. Pinning some ideas.
Cranking up the fireplace (now that it's actually cold enough to use it).
Slurping down lots of decaf and tea by said fire.
Having chocolate milk and gingerbread cookies (Resolving to stop eating cookies as staples to our diet...after we polish off this batch.)
Full January fitness classes (see above) and kind affirmation
Writing Kebebush in Ethiopia and praying that she gets to go to college
Various kids going to a Jane Austen birthday party, a gymnastics party, and sleepover, or babysitting or playing with neighbors
Mom visiting and attempting to make gingerbread houses with the kids.
I love these rare stay-at-home times. These hours might drive others stir-crazy, but I can always find something that I would like to do. Memories of just being at home together with no particular agenda. I hope my children are brave enough to follow God through life wherever he may lead them, but take with them a strong sense of the home we're shared together.
Wanting to stand strong in the midst of chaos and destruction.
Learning some new skills. Using the Duolingo app to learn a little survival Spanish in preparation for a spring mission trip to Guatemala. Nine times out of a hundred I might have some glimmer of what is being said!
